Buies Creek, NC- Campbell University opened the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine in the fall of 2013. Their vision for the new medical school is to fill a critical need for physicians and North Carolinians by practicing in rural and other medically underserved communities across the state. This new medical school is estimated to provide over $300 million in economic impact over the next ten years by revitalizing service and healthcare in rural North Carolina.

In order to have a successful medical school, Campbell needs access to residencies and clinical rotations at various hospitals. Southeastern Health, a rural hospital in Lumberton, and the City of Lumberton requested $500,000 to renovate the 4th story of their main hospital building. This floor will now house Campbell’s training space for the residency programs in the following areas: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Psychiatry, and Orthopedic Surgery.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority awarded the grant to the City of Lumberton this past week in order to facilitate improvements to the existing facility. Campbell’s School of Osteopathic Medicine will be able to send students to a state of the art teaching facility in an area of North Carolina where healthcare is lacking.

“I, for one, am thankful for Campbell University’s service filled vision. Developments like this are exciting and give me hope for the future of North Carolina,” said Rep. Lewis. “The void of adequate healthcare in many parts of North Carolina is astonishing and Campbell is committed to addressing those needs.”

Rep. Lewis (R-Harnett) is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives and proud 1994 Alumni of Campbell University.